Use code “Molly” at checkout to get a 10% discount!
How can we create an inclusive, equitable and accessible yoga community? How can we adapt yoga practices (asana, breathing, meditation) to support people with disabilities, injuries or chronic illness? What effect does the constant barrage of marketing images that reinforce society’s narrowly defined beauty standards have on our students? How has the #MeToo movement influenced important conversations about consent culture, abuse, and led to questioning the gurus and lineages we may have held dear?
Many people seem to be waking up and asking: Where is yoga heading? What really matters in this community and industry? How does my teaching welcome or alienate people who are new to the practice? What about my role in cultural appropriation? What does it really mean to be accessible? Who is the face (and body) of yoga?
For the Accessible Yoga Conference in New York City, we are joining the search for deeper meaning. We’ll be exploring topics like yoga and wellness, adaptive and chair yoga, therapeutic yoga for illness or injury, race and yoga, yoga for vets, yoga in recovery, yoga to support underserved communities and folks with marginalized identities, living our values while still operating in systems of oppression, and most of all, connecting, supporting, and rejuvenating folks who are dedicating their work and their lives to helping the world see the humanity in one another. Join us in creating a yoga community that is equitable and accessible.
True Joy is not dependent on outward conditions. True Joy is a state of being that arises from being connected to our True Nature, the part of ourselves that is untouched by anything that has ever happened in life or anything that ever will… the part of ourselves that always exists in Peace. We can create the conditions for this authentic joy to arise and grow as a constant experience that holds us throughout the changing experiences of life which can be uplifting and challenging. We will do exactly this during this workshop using kirtan (call-and-response mantra chant), breathing, yoga, yoga nidra guided meditation, and deep connection. Join Nina and Molly for this unforgettable journey into the heart of Joy.
Molly Birkholm is a yoga & meditation teacher trainer, speaker, advisor, show host, and author. She is the co-founder of Warriors at Ease, which has pioneered evidence-based resilience and trauma treatment programs that are used in the US military, including training more than 2000 instructors who work at more than 65 military bases and VA hospitals. Molly’s peak performance & resilience training, stress management courses, and trauma treatment programs have been used by c-suite leaders and top organizations, including the US Department of Defense, McKinsey & Company, and the Young Presidents’ Organization. Molly leads programs around the world and also teaches students through her programs on The Great Courses and as the host of Women’s Empowerment Initiative on Yoga International. www.mollybirkholm.com
Nina Rao learned traditional chants (bhajans) from her grandfather in a village in south India when she nine years old. The chants quietly stayed with her until she rediscovered chanting with Krishna Das in New York in 1996. For many years Nina has been Krishna Das’ business manager and assistant, often touring with him playing cymbals and singing. In 2007, she recorded the track ‘Nina Chalisa’ on Krishna Das’ CD “Flow of Grace ” and in January 2013, she released her debut album, “Antarayaami – Knower of All Hearts” and her second album “Anubhav” in 2018. Nina regularly leads kirtan, chanting of the Hanuman Chalisa workshops, and leads chanting retreats in her hometown of Brooklyn, NY and beyond. NinaRaoChant.com
$60 early bird / $70 day of
Join us for a lecture and Q&A with Molly Birkholm, Co-Founder of Warriors at Ease and a trauma educator of “Trauma, Recovery and Empowerment”. Learn tools that can enhance everyday life and help to uncover a deeper sense of joy. Molly will be joined by Joy Hoffman, founder of “The Joy of Art” and “The Joy of Yoga Nidra” who will lead a session of yoga nidra following the discussion.
All Proceeds with benefit Ben’s Lighthouse a program founded in memory and celebration of Ben Wheeler that seeks to foster all children’s potential to build a more compassionate and connected world. Ben’s Lighthouse provides programs and opportunities that help kids and teens develop empathy, self-awareness and social connection.
FAQs
What can I bring into the event?
To experience yoga nidra during the second portion of the evening, please bring a yoga pad, two blankets and a washcloth. Chair yoga will be available for those who desire that option.
Oftentimes, we think of our traumas or challenges as impediments to living the life we truly want. Challenges can, and should, be embraced as an essential part of our life experience through which we can uncove strength, wisdom, and the happiness we previously may have sought externally. True joy is not dependent on outward conditions. True joy is a state of being that arises from being connected to our true nature, the part of ourselves that is untouched by anything that has ever happened in life or anything that ever will… the part of ourselves that always exists in peace. We can create the conditions for this to arise and grow as a constant experience that holds us throughout the changing experiences of life. We will do exactly this during this workshop using breathing, yoga nidra guided meditation, as well as opportunities for inspiration and deep connection.
Attendees can expect a daily program that includes yoga, iRest Yoga Nidra, Vedanta lectures, silent meditation, breathing practices, creativity practices, vegetarian food, personal reflection time, and community fun with fellow attendees. There will be two days of silence during the week, in which participants are invited to adhere to Mauna (Sanskrit for “silence” throughout the day’s activities.
The focus is on going deep into the practices of yoga and meditation. There will be no difference in participation between veterans, civilians or providers of the retreat. We are all in this together, we will all be doing the practices. We will all be sharing in the experience.
This retreat is open to veterans and civilians who already have a regular meditation and yoga practice and are interested in an advanced retreat. This retreat will maintain a strict retreat schedule. It is rigorous but we are inviting people who are serious practitioners and who from their own personal interest want to experience Advanced Retreat.
6:00 a.m. – Wake Up
6:30 a.m. – Chanting, Pranayama (breathing) & Silent Meditation
8:00 a.m. – Breakfast
10 a.m. – Morning Yoga
12:00 p.m. – Lunch
1:00 p.m. – Outdoor Time or Activities
2:00 p.m. – Yoga Philosophy Talk & Discussion
4:00 p.m. – Afternoon Yoga & iRest Yoga Nidra
6:00 p.m. – Dinner
7:00 p.m. – Evening Program & Meditation
10:00 p.m. – Lights Out
Costs:
Through the generosity of private donor, the tuition for this retreat is covered for both civilians and veterans. Veterans need to cover only their travel expenses and civilians need to cover their travel and accommodation expenses at the Ashram. The Sivananda Yoga Ranch Ashram is a sweet place, which is carefully maintained by beautiful souls and on a gorgeous piece of property. The food is vegetarian and delicious; much of it is grown on the property. Vegan and gluten-free options are available. Please advise of other dietary restrictions. There will be two shuttle buses departing from NYC. Times will be announced directly to retreat participants. If you’re able to make it onto to these shuttles, transport to/from NYC is included. If you cannot make the shuttles, you will need to arrange your own transportation to the ashram.
Veterans and service members will be required to put down a $200 deposit in order to reserve a spot in our retreats. The deposit will be refunded in full after the conclusion of the retreats.
For more information on accommodation costs at Sivananda Yoga Ranch Ashram, please click here.
To register, please email Alexis Miller, the retreat coordinator, at retreats@warriorsatease.org.
Please be advised that retreats typically fill up right away and have a waiting list. If you would like to attend, please do not delay!
Facilitators:
Molly Birkholm is a yoga and meditation teacher trainer, professional speaker, consultant and author, She is the co-founder of Warriors at Ease and has helped pioneer evidence-based trauma-sensitive yoga and meditation programs for PTSD in the military and other communities affected by trauma and stress. Molly’s stress management programs, resilience training and trauma treatment programs are used by leaders and top organizations. Molly teaches trainings and retreats around the world and also online on The Great Courses and as the host of the Women’s Empowerment Initiative on Yoga International. www.mollybirkholm.com
Swami Paramananda is the manager of the Sivananda Ashram Yoga Ranch and longtime teacher of Sivananda Yoga Teacher Trainings in the Bahamas, New York, and India. A much-loved teacher admired for his humor, warmth and devotion to the practice, he seamlessly weaves classical yoga teachings into modern daily life.
Hipolito Arriaga was born and raised in the South Bronx. In 2003, at age 19, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps where he served as an Artileryman. Following four years of service, which included two deployments to Iraq, he separated from the military honorably. Post service, he began seeking healing for the various injuries he sustained, both physical and invisible, leading him on an ever-evolving journey of self-discovery. Hipolito is a writer and performer for the Combat Hippies. He’s also trained in Baptiste Power Yoga and Trauma Conscious Yoga. And serves as a wilderness expedition leader with No Barriers Warriors. His performance and writing experience include “AMAL” and “Conscience Under Fire.”
Please review our retreat cancellation policy upon signing up.